Method for image equalization of ROI fluoroscopic images using mask localization, selection and subtraction.

In region of interest (ROI) fluoroscopy, a filter is used to drastically reduce the X-ray dose to the patient peripheral to an ROI, and mask subtraction is used to equalize the displayed image brightness. Methods are described for an optimized search to locate the ROI and select or construct a mask image using a descriptor look up table (DLUT) based on ROI size, relative ROI/periphery brightness and ROI shape and orientation. After mask subtraction, the brightness values of the periphery are comparable to those of the ROI providing for equalized display.

The use of alcohol home delivery services by male problem drinkers: a preliminary report.

Alcohol home delivery services (AHDS) provide convenient and confidential access to alcohol, yet little is known about their use. The purpose of this report is to present preliminary data describing the use of AHDS by problem drinkers. We surveyed 174 males regarding social and demographic characteristics, alcohol use history, and use of AHDS.

Implementation of region-of-interest fluoroscopy by using the road mapping mode of a real-time digital radiographic unit.

In region-of-interest (ROI) fluoroscopy, a filter is used to greatly attenuate the x-ray beam outside the ROI and digital image processing is used to equalize the displayed brightness. The method is applicable to real-time imaging procedures such as vascular interventions for which a high-quality image is essential only over an ROI (eg, near the catheter tip), whereas the noise-degraded periphery may be acceptable for visualizing landmarks. Use of ROI fluoroscopy can greatly reduce radiation exposure to the patient and to staff while image quality in the ROI is maintained or improved.

Evidence that the ancestral haplotype in Australian hemochromatosis patients may be associated with a common mutation in the gene.

Hemochromatosis (HC) is a common inherited disorder of iron metabolism for which neither the gene nor biochemical defect have yet been identified. The aim of this study was to look for clinical evidence that the predominant ancestral haplotype in Australian patients is associated with a common mutation in the gene. We compared indices of iron metabolism and storage in three groups of HC patients categorized according to the presence of the ancestral haplotype (i.

Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin in alcoholics with liver disease.

To assess the relationship between carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) and alcoholic liver disease, we measured the ratio of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin to total transferrin (rCDT) in 32 male alcoholics with liver disease (Child-Pugh class A, 8; B, 11; C, 13) and 14 male alcoholics without clinically evident liver disease. Twenty of 32 with liver disease and six of 14 without clinically apparent liver disease had recent abstinence. The 32 patients with liver disease were assessed, in addition to the Child-Pugh class, using a linear prognostic score, the Combined Clinical and Laboratory Index (CCLI).

Cloning and identification of Arp1, an actin-related protein from Pneumocystis carinii.

The complete Pneumocystis carinii Arp1 gene has been sequenced from two cDNA clones. The gene encodes a protein 385 bp in length with an estimated size of 45,000 kD. The A + T% for the Arp1 gene and a 900-bp sequence upstream of the gene were 63.

Primer residues deposited by handguns.

There is much anecdotal information being disseminated, even offered in expert witness testimony, concerning the deposit of primer residues on the hands of persons in front of the muzzle of handguns. We present data for 9 mm and 380 Auto pistols and for a 38 caliber revolver depicting the procedure for obtaining wipings taken from targets representing the hands of a gunshot victim. These wipings from pork tissue were then analyzed for the primer residue metals antimony, barium, and lead.

Structure, expression and phylogenetic analysis of the gene encoding actin I in Pneumocystis carinii.

Actin is a major component of the cytoskeleton and one of the most abundant proteins found in eukaryotic cells. Comparative sequence analysis shows that this essential gene has been highly conserved throughout eukaryotic evolution making it useful for phylogenetic analysis. Complete cDNA clones for the actin-encoding gene were isolated and characterized from Pneumocystis carinii purified from immunosuppressed rat lungs.

Effect of chronic iron overload on procollagen gene expression.

The pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis in genetic hemochromatosis may involve a direct effect of excess iron on collagen synthesis in the liver. To investigate this theory, we measured procollagen messenger RNA levels (types I, III and IV) in the livers of rats in which we produced chronic parenchymal iron overload by feeding them dietary carbonyl iron (2.5%, wt/wt) for up to 18 mo.

Isolation and identification of six Pneumocystis carinii genes utilizing codon bias.

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is a leading cause of death among AIDS patients in the United States. Our analysis of P. carinii protein-coding genes has revealed a significant A + T codon bias.

Cloning and characterization of the calmodulin-encoding gene from Pneumocystis carinii.

Complete cDNA and genomic clones for the CaM gene encoding calmodulin (CaM) from Pneumocystis carinii have been isolated from rat and characterized. The nucleotide (nt) sequence contains an open reading frame interrupted by three introns, that encodes a protein of 152 amino acids. The predicted CaM protein of P.

A multispectral analysis of brain tissues.

With the increasing use of three-dimensional MRI techniques it is becoming necessary to explore automated techniques for locating pathology in the volume images. The suitability of a specific technique to locate and identify healthy tissues of the brain was examined as a first step toward eventually identifying pathology in images. This technique, called multispectral image segmentation, is based on the classification of tissue types in an image according to their characteristics in various spectral regions.

Differential regulation of ferritin H and L subunit mRNA during inflammation and long-term iron overload.

Iron overload, such as occurs in the genetic disease haemochromatosis, leads to synthesis of ferritin containing an increased proportion of L subunits. Inflammation also leads to clinically important increases in ferritin synthesis but the predominant subunit involved is unclear. Elevation of serum ferritin concentration during the acute phase response confounds its use as an indicator of body iron stores and identification of the major subunit involved may allow distinction of the ferritin associated with inflammation from the synthesized during iron overload.

Differentiation between heterozygotes and homozygotes in genetic hemochromatosis by means of a histological hepatic iron index: a study of 192 cases.

The biochemical hepatic iron index, defined as the ratio of hepatic iron concentration (expressed as micromoles per gram dry weight) to age permits accurate prediction of genetic status in patients with genetic hemochromatosis. However, the hepatic iron concentration is not always available. Therefore a histological hepatic iron index, defined as the ratio of total histological iron score (range = 0 to 60) to age, was evaluated in a total of 192 Australian and French patients with genetic hemochromatosis.

Modifying diets to satisfy nutritional requirements using linear programming.

A computational method for constructing individually acceptable diets by modifying a chosen diet to meet nutritional requirements is described. The effects on food quantities of imposing different nutrient requirements on a sample diet are demonstrated and techniques which can ensure the acceptability to the individual of the modified diet are described. The starting point in the calculation is the person's current dietary intake.

Cytotoxic flow-cytometric crossmatches (flow-tox): a comparison with conventional cytotoxicity crossmatch techniques.

Detection and avoidance of donor-reactive antibodies in the sera of potential organ transplant recipients is key to a successful transplant outcome. Techniques of antibody detection that use flow cytometry are more sensitive than those that rely upon a visual determination of cytotoxicity. However, as conventionally performed, flow-cytometric crossmatches do not distinguish between cytotoxic (complement fixing) and noncytotoxic antibodies because both types of antibodies can bind to a cell and be detected by laser-activated fluorochrome photon emission.

Shoplifting in bulimia nervosa.

This study compared the shoplifting patterns of 27 bulimic and 25 nonbulimic shoplifters. Bulimic shoplifters often stole food, but usually also stole other items. Nonbulimic shoplifters reported starting to steal at an earlier age, weighed more than bulimic shoplifters, and were more likely to endorse antisocial reasons for shoplifting.

Clustered bacteremias in a hemodialysis unit: cross-contamination of blood tubing from ultrafiltrate waste.

Objective: To determine the cause of clustered bacteremias occurring among chronic hemodialysis patients.

Design: A retrospective investigation of clinical and laboratory records with direct observation of dialysis facilities and technique. Bacterial blood isolates were identified and compared with environmental isolates.

Markers of chronic alcohol ingestion in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: an aid to diagnosis.

We report here the use of the biochemical marker desialylated transferrin to aid in the diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Conventional biochemical tests used for the detection of chronic alcohol consumption fail to differentiate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patients from alcoholic subjects. In addition, even in those alcoholic subjects with alcoholic liver disease in whom biopsy has been performed, it is impossible to differentiate these two disease states on the basis of morphological examination alone.

The absence of a m7G cap on beta-globin mRNA and alfalfa mosaic virus RNA 4 increases the amounts of initiation factor 4F required for translation.

beta-Globin mRNA and alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) RNA 4, two naturally capped mRNAs, and satellite tobacco necrosis virus (STNV) RNA, a naturally uncapped mRNA, were prepared by in vitro transcription with and without a 5' m7G cap structure (m7G(5')ppp(5')N). The translation of the capped and uncapped forms of these mRNAs was measured in a crude S30 system and a partially purified system from wheat germ. In the S30 system the uncapped forms of beta-globin mRNA and AMV RNA 4 are much less active (greater than or equal to 10%) than their capped forms, whereas the uncapped and capped forms of STNV RNA are equally active.